Job Title: Manufacturing Lead
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type: Full-time on-site
Company Overview:
Octavia Carbon is a pioneering Direct Air Capture (DAC) company committed to combating climate change by developing and deploying innovative technology to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. We are proud to manage our entire manufacturing process in-house, ensuring the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability in the production of our advanced DAC systems.
Role Summary:
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Manufacturing Lead to oversee and optimize our in-house production processes for Direct Air Capture (DAC) components and modules. The Manufacturing Lead is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing all in-house manufacturing operations. This position ensures the efficient, safe, and high-quality production of our Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems and their components. The Manufacturing Lead will champion continuous improvement, manage production teams, and collaborate with cross-functional departments to achieve operational excellence and contribute directly to the company's carbon removal targets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational Management: Oversee daily production activities, ensuring adherence to schedules and targets, planning and supervising production teams, monitoring output, and adjusting based on inventory levels.
- Team Leadership and Development: Manage, mentor, and train the manufacturing team, appraising performance, resolving problems, and ensuring competency in all roles.
- Quality Assurance and Control: Implement and maintain rigorous quality standards throughout the manufacturing process, review production setups, conduct inspections, and ensure products meet specifications.
- Process Optimization and Improvement: Continuously seek and implement strategies for efficiency gains and cost reduction, analyse production data, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Safety and Compliance: Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to all relevant safety and environmental regulations and company policies.
- Resource Management: Oversee the effective allocation and efficient utilization of all manufacturing resources, including materials, equipment, and personnel.
- Equipment Maintenance and Reliability: Implement and manage preventive maintenance programs to minimize equipment downtime and ensure continuous production.
- Production Planning and Scheduling: Develop and execute effective production plans and schedules that align with company objectives and market demands.
- Collaboration and Communication: Effectively collaborate and communicate with cross-functional teams (R&D, Product, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance) and external stakeholders.
- Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track Objectives and key Results (OKRs) and provide regular reports on overall manufacturing performance to senior management.
- Strategic Contribution: Adapt manufacturing processes to seamlessly integrate ongoing R&D advancements and modular designs for DAC units.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing or Industrial Engineering.
- Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, quality standards, and safety regulations.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities with experience in motivating and developing teams.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to analyze data and implement effective solutions.
- Knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., ISO standards, GMP).
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with production planning, scheduling, and inventory management systems.
- Comprehensive understanding of safety and environmental regulations relevant to manufacturing operations.
- Project management skills with the ability to manage and implement improvement projects.
- Proven experience in a manufacturing leadership role, preferably within the chemical processing, materials science, or clean technology sectors.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and practices.
Why Join Us
This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering company at the forefront of climate technology. As a Manufacturing Lead, you will play a critical role in scaling up a technology vital for global decarbonization efforts. You will have the chance to apply your expertise in a dynamic environment, contribute to significant cost reductions, and directly impact the fight against climate change. If you are passionate about operational excellence, lean principles, and making a tangible difference, we encourage you to apply.
Here's the challenge - https://octaviacarbon-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/mwangi/ET4aYeRLl7BHt_3qwm4Gh2MBHPeGS8q9oBY3GXUUZltzvw?e=8FLZQc
As part of your application process, please complete the challenge below and attach your solution by 1st June 2025.
Octavia Carbon offers competitive growth opportunities, a competitive salary, a route to owning company equity, and a high degree of professional freedom & responsibility, coupled with an intense working environment to enable a steep learning curve.
Octavia Carbon is an equal opportunity employer and especially encourages applications from women, and individuals from diverse socioeconomic, religious and regional backgrounds.